Serum C-peptide level as a predictor of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective: To assess the correlation of serum C-peptide level to carotid intima media thickness (a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis) and risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes patients as determined by United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) risk engine. Materials and Methods: About 101 cases of diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2 (diagnosed according to American Diabetes Association 2007 criteria) were subjected to detail clinical examination and laboratory investigations. The intima media thickness of both carotid arteries (CIMT) was measured for each patient with color Doppler. The risk of CVD was calculated using UKPDS risk engine. Observations: Age of subjects, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-DL (LDL), homocysteine, CIMT, and the 10 years CVD risk according to the UKPDS were significantly different across the C-peptide quartiles (P for trend <0.05). Significant positive correlations of C-peptide levels were found with age of subjects, duration of DM, BMI, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, SBP, TC, TG, LDL, and homocysteine. Significant negative correlation of C-peptide levels was observed with HDL. C-peptide levels had significant positive correlation with CIMT (atherosclerosis) and 10 years CVD risk (future CVD) by UKPDS risk engine. Conclusions: Serum C-peptide level seems to be significantly related to the development of atherosclerosis and future CVD in type 2 DM. It may be used as a predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis and CVD in these patients.